Texas Rangers Blog

5-hit game for Rangers prospect

Leury Garcia, on the Texas Rangers’ 40-man major-league roster, made the most of his first start in the Dominican Republic winter league playoffs on Saturday night.

Garcia went 5-for-5 for the Aguilas Cibaenas in a 4-3 win in 10 innings against the Toros del Este. Garcia’s last hit, a single, drove in the game-winning run.

Garcia had only one at-bat in Aguilas’ previous seven post-season games. Aguilas added him to the roster after veteran Anderson Hernandez declined to join the club after being selected from Licey, which missed the playoffs. Garcia spent the regular season with the Gigantes del Cibao.

A middle infielder at Double-A Frisco last season, Garcia started in right field for Aguilas. The Rangers believe Garcia could play all three outfield spots because of his speed. He will work out in the outfield in addition to the middle-infield spots during spring training.